Mary Ellen Flanigan

MaryEllen (Tanner) Flanigan, age 87, formerly of Rome, NY, and most recently Tomah, WI, passed away peacefully on Marxh 24, 2025, with her loving family by her side.
MaryEllen was born in Rome, NY on March 4th, 1938, to the late Malcolm and Roseanna (Mathis) Tanner Sr. On July 9, 1960, she was united in marriage to Bruce N. Flanigan at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Rome, a union that lasted 53 loving years until Bruce’s passing in 2013.

After several years of dedicated service, MaryEllen retired from a Civil Engineering position at the former Griffiss Air Force Base. After retirement, Mary Ellen and Bruce enjoyed an afternoon of golfing or bowling and traveling to visit their family, especially their grandchildren, whom they adored.

In addition to being a pillar of strength and love for her family, MaryEllen was also a devout member of both St. Mary’s and St. Peter's Church in Rome, NY, a member of the Alter Rosary Society, and a volunteer for many years at The Mission of the Christ Child. While living in Wisconsin, MaryEllen also attended services at St. Mary’s in Tomah, WI.

When MaryEllen was not busy volunteering or traveling, she could be found at home crocheting or in her chair with a blanket across her lap, reading one of her many books. MaryEllen was also an avid shopper, whether it be a new outfit at JCPenney, new shoes at PayLess, or groceries at Price Chopper, there was never an occasion she couldn’t find a reason to shop for. For the past twelve years, MaryEllen’s time was focused on her great-grandchildren. She could be found on the baseball field, soccer field, or any other sport her great-grandchildren were involved in; she was their biggest cheerleader and loved to watch them do what they loved to do. For those great-grandchildren who were still too young to play sports, she would often be on the floor playing with them, doing arts and crafts, reading books, or just snuggling up on the couch.

MaryEllen is survived by her children and their spouses: Kathy Lynn and Rob Stacconi of Remsen, NY, Kim Marie and Louis Misiano of Londonderry, NH, Mark Francis and Heidi Flanigan of Wayneboro, PA, and Mary Beth and Hal Jacob of Tomah, WI; grandchildren, Ian and Sandra Stacconi, Heather and Jason Decker, Nicole and Stephen Simmons, Michael and Kathryn Misiano, Malcolm Flanigan and Sophia Mostafa, Allison Jacob, Sydney and Gunnar Wiltsie, and Emma Jacob and Jonathan Farrey; great-grandchildren, Catherine Stacconi, Jake and Hayden Decker, Logan and Julia Simmons, Liliana, Meredith and Karly Misiano, Emmett Hanson, and Rowan and Sawyer Wiltsie; brothers, Paul Tanner and Alan James Tanner; sisters, Sheila Henry, and Diane and James Malakie; brothers-in-law, David Flanigan, Francis and Barb Flanigan and Jaime Bucknell; sister-in-law, Judy and Frank Lawruk; as well as many nieces and nephews. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her. MaryEllen was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce N. Flanigan; parents, Malcolm and Roseanna Tanner Sr.; siblings, Malcolm Tanner Jr, Robert Tanner, Faith Schmalz, David Tanner, and Patricia Tanner Bucknell; brother-in-law, Douglas Flanigan; and sister-in-law, Patricia Flanigan.

The family extends sincere gratitude to the nurses and doctors at the Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, WI for their compassion and adoration for MaryEllen and her family in her final months.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 11, at 11 AM, at St. Peter’s Church. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, on Thursday, April 10, from 4 to 6 PM.